My 02 MC is terrific to drive and has decent gas mileage. I drove an MCS once and while it had more git up and go, I'll stay with an MC. Only one problem with the mini and kids...It absolutely kills my back putting my 9 month old grandson in his carseat in the backseat!! Something to think about.

 

Thanks for the warning Dix....luckily the Mini will be for me to commute in and have fun on the weekends....my wife has a 4runner to handle kid toting duties.

 

Get the convertible! You can put the top and the windows down, and then the kids go in easy! I have a 9 month old as well and he goes in like a breeze that way. Have not tried with the top up and don't think I will as I also have a 4 year old. Don't think I can crawl over her car seat to get to his!

 

MrsDiff and I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old. The Kids love MINI IN black. I never wished I had a super charger untill I moved to Northern Indiana and spent 140+ miles a day on the interstates.

A MC can hang with the MCS in the twisties but that super charger makes all the difference in a straight line.

 

I'm always amazed by the inherent goodness of the MC, even driving back to back. Can't beat the supercharger whine in the MCS though, that's what sold me. Oh - the kick in the back doesn't hurt either.

 

I didn't even consider an MC. I went straight up to my MA, and asked to test drive an MCS, and it was love at first drive. I decided before I had even driven 1/10 of a mile that I was going to own an MCS. i have never looked back and questioned my decision. I knew it would cost more, (especially after I got all three packages—cold weather, premium and sport), but I HAD to have it.

God, I love my car.

 

One of the great things about a MINI is that you can spec and mod it to suit a lot of different requirements. If you want a barn-burning road warrior, get an MCS, throw a pulley on it, get a decent set of wheels and tires, and you can run with just about anyone. If you want to, you can load it up with every option imaginable, or you can go lean and run it light. On the other hand, I was looking for a long-legged road car, something that I could hop in and drive to Oregon (or wherever) without blinking. In that case, I think an MC is more suitable and comfortable. You can take an MC to the track occasionally and not be totally embarrassed, in fact, people will tell you how well it does for 115 hp. It's not fast, but it is quick, and there's a difference. I've never had the least bit of trouble getting on a freeway. I give up something on the track with the SS suspension vs. the SS+, but it's a lot easier to live with every day. I do enjoy driving an MCS, and feeling that supercharger kick, but I'm still glad I got the MC. Decide what's important to you, and have fun. You can't go wrong either way.

 

I think another good thing about MINI, is that you don't get screwed by choosing the base in terms of most of the standard equipment like with other cars. Essentially, both cars are very similar in terms of looks and features. The MCS just gets a few upgrades which are mostly under the hood or mechancial, but inside they look almost identical. Even outside, most people don't realise there is a difference unless they have already researched them.

 

I've driven both and to tell you the truth, I think the MC is more fun to drive, if slightly down on power. The MCS has more power and, in my case, I could use to extra power for highway and the hills on my daily commute. However, I felt the MC feels lighter on its feet and it's a more engaging drive as you have to work the gears more to stay in the power band. Also, I don't think it's a problem, but many have complained about the suspension on the S being harsh. The standard suspension on the MC is less harsh. The MCS, however, makes more interesting sounds (The super-charger whine, for instance).

Cost-wise, it is possible to option out a MC to more than the cost of an MCS so be careful in how you choose your options. You might find that once you've added a few things that are standard equipment on the MCS, the MC cost more or is the same price. That's what made it justifiable for me to move to the MCS. I had originally gone in looking at buying an MC as the MCS power was nice but in absolute terms, I would be just as satisfied without it, but once I added the heated seats, suspension, foglights, chrome mirrors, and a few other little things, I was within $500 of a similarly configured MCS.

As others have said, the good thing about MINI is if you buy the less expensive model, MINI does not build a car that makes sure you and everybody around you know it's the least expensive model. So whatever you decide, it's a good choice.

Oh...I have a daughter and I use my MINI to drive kids to Sunday school and the kids love it.

 

I was in the same boat, we have a six year old and one due in a couple of months. I drove the MC first then the automatic version and finally the MCS. I quickly learned the optimal rpm range for the MC with help from the sales guy who races one on the weekends and it was more than enough with cost in mind. It was equipped with the sports package which gets you a little closer to the MCS feel around corners for a lot less $$.

The dealers around here would let me order a MC with no dealer markup but if I wanted a MCS there was an additional $1500 markup on top of the $3000 price for the S upgrade.

It was a no brainer to save $4500 and add a couple of upgrades like the premium package, sports pachage, Xenon lights etc... Grand total was $23000 for an 06' BRG/W.

 

I have driven both the MC and MCS and for me there was only one choice the MCS. I like the performance gain, torque and the feel of the MCS over the MC.

Both are great cars and just as long as you test ride both there is not a bad choice between the two.

 

The price difference really isn't that big. I went for the MC based on personal prefernece. I just enjoy driving something a little more simple. The MCS is a lot of fun too, but for me, you can't beat NA.


-m

 

Granted this is a very contrived test, but out dealership had a really teeny tiny autocross course set up this weekend. I drove my Cooper (modded suspension) and a friend's MCS (similair suspension mods plus the typical MCS power mods of pulley, ecu, exhaust, etc). I posted the same personal best time in both cars.

My Cooper turned much better than the MCS. The MCS was much faster in a straight line. This MCS still needs to be tuned a bit in the suspension to get rid of some more understeer. My Cooper has a non-adjustable suspension and I guess I just guessed right when building it up because it turns so amazingly well at low speeds.

So, for me, after finally getting to drive an MCS on a closed course (I've driven them a bit on the open road before), I'm still very happy that I have a (my) Cooper over an MCS.

 

Slowclimb...

First and foremost...Congratulations on your decision to get a Mini Cooper (whether it be a MC OR a MCS). I'm not much of a gearhead (I wouldn't know how to repair a car or talk about automotive performance if my life depended on it...really!). I currently have an '06 MC and an '06 MCS Convertible in my garage. I got the MC first because it is just a super, all-around great car. If I go somewhere on business, it is practical and in my opinion a beautiful car to drive (great looks, great handling, etc.). I used to be pretty heavy into motorcycles, but a friend's accident that I witnessed close up finally convinced me that there may be some risks I just don't really need or want to take. So, the MCS Convertible replaced the motorcycle.
The bottom line is that the MCS is totally different from the MC. I truly love both cars, but if you are wanting more performance, I'd go with the MCS. I love the whine of the supercharger and man, can it move! Also you have the option of upgrading it later with a John Cooper Works kit. I haven't yet done that, but I hope to one day. I did have a JCW Sound kit installed in my MC, and it adds a bit of performance, but it doesn't do that much for the car. Still, I thought the $1100 upgrade was worth it.

Anyway, these are just a few of my thoughts.

Again, congratulations on your decision! Either way you go, it's a win-win!

Chuck

 

We went with the MC/CVT, for two reasons..
1. Run flats, are very very expensive
2. No spare, (scares an old man)

OH YES, I would like to have the motor in the "S", but the tire issue we could not overcome.

First part of November - Baby is currently scheduled for prodction